We rejoin our friends at the end of the summer holidays and it seems that there's more than just 'friendliness' between Xander and Willow as they walk along the cemetery playing their 'movie quotes' game (Willow:"May the force be with you." Xander:"Do I even have to credit that with a guess?")

Things seem to be going swimmingly with Xander licking ice-cream off Willow's nose. Just as they are about to kiss they are interupted by a vampire (darn it!)

Luckily, Buffy turns up just in time to save their asses. Their happiness to see Buffy turns to concern when she tells Giles that she wants to take up her training straight away. There's also the personality problems. Buffy is moody, withdrawn and downright bitchy. (Cordy:"You're really campaigning for 'Bitch of the Year', aren't you?" Buffy:"As the defending champion, you nervous?") And (Buffy (to Cordy):"You won't tell anyone that I'm a Slayer, and I won't tell anyone that you're a moron.")

Then Buffy has a nightmare in which Giles attacks her while Willow looks on. Buffy pulls at Giles's face, which turns out to be a mask. Under the mask is The Master.

When she wakes up she finds Angel in her room with a warning (as usual). Buffy is very rude to him and turns her back on him. When she turns around again, he's gone.

Buffy, Willow and Xander go to the Bronze, (you know do happy stuff). But Buffy upsets Willow and makes Angel very jealous by dancing in a very intimate way with Xander. (Of course, Xander loves the situation.)

When the Master's buried bones go missing, worrying unsues. Giles does some research and discovers the vampires have dug them up for a 'revivification rite'. (ooh bad stuff). This rite requires the presence of those 'closest' to the Master when he died.

Because Giles, Jenny, Willow, and Cordelia where 'closest' (in the physical sense) to the Master; the minions of the Annointed One kidnap them for use in the rite.

It's upto Buffy, Xander and Angel to rescue them and prevent the Master returning.

Our Review

The teaser scene at the start of the episode was one of the best Willow/Xander scenes I have ever seen. It was so cute and sweet and sooooooo close to being a 'happy' we were very sad when it didn't pan out.The exchanges between Buffy and Cordelia are top notch. Natch. As is the bit where Buffy grinds the Master's bones into dust.

Our Scores
(The Ice cream scene 9.5)
Episode score 7

The Professional review

A slow, but alluring season opener. Lovely, post-modern end to the pre-title sequence ('Hi guys, did you miss me?') Some excellent fight sequences aside, the best bits of the episode are the Buffy/Cordelia exchanges, and the deepening characterisation of both girls. Despite and exciting climax, is it just me or does this episode look cheap?

Their score - 7